Lebanon, which is hosting thousands of Syrian refugees, has tremendous needs, according to Robert Watkins the top United Nations humanitarian official in the country.

Mr. Watkins, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon visited Shebaa, in southern Lebanon on Monday and saw first hand the conditions of the Syrian refugees and the Lebanese communities hosting them.

UN spokesperson, Martin Nesirky has more.

"He said afterwards that the situation is clearly very difficult and the humanitarian needs are growing for both the refugees and the communities hosting them, particularly as the number of the refugees continues to rise. Mr. Watkins said that the United Nations has appealed to the international community to come forward with more badly needed assistance which we hope will be forthcoming quickly, given the tremendous needs in Lebanon." (19")

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that there are more than 420,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon.